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CONSTITUTION ED 



AND 



lO Y -Xj jSL^^TV^ JS, 



F T H E 



'Omtij nf CiilifoTnia ^iniieer^, 



ORGANIZED AUGUST, 1850. 



CONSTITUTION REVISED JTULY, 1853 



ION BBVlS£:D-<fl 



SAN FRANCISCO: 

PRINTED BY C. BARTLETT, 

LONG WHARF, CORNER OF FRONT STREET, UP STAIRS. 



1853. 



ms- 



CONSTITUTION //x 






OF THE 

Inrietij nf Califnrnta ^tnneers, 

ORGANIZED AUGUST, 1850. 

CONSTITUTION REVISED JULY, 1853. 



SAN FRANCISCO: 

PRINTED BY C. BARTLETT, 

LONG WHARF, CORNER OF FRONT STREET, UP STAIRS. 

1853. 






OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY 

FOR THE YEA.R 1853. 



PRESIDENT 

SAMUEL BRANNAN. 



\TICE PRESIDENTS 

JACOB R. SNYDER, 
BENJ. S. LIPPINCOTT, 
THOMAS 0. LARKIN, 
aEX. M. G. YALLEJO, 
CHARLES M. ^VEBER, 
JOSIAH BELDEN, 
ROBERT SEiMPLE, 



P. B. REDDIXG, 
GEN. JOHN A. SUTTER, 
EDWARD L. STETSON. 
JACOB P. LEESE, 

A. B. THOMPSON, 

B. D. WILSON. 
JUAN BANDINI. 



WILLIAM BLACKBURN. 
SECRETARY 

JAMES C. LOW. 

TREASURER 

WM. T. SHERMAN. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

CHARLES Ct. SCOTT, I H. W. HALLECK, 
HENRY GERKEE, A. J. GRAYSON, 

J. MEAD HUXLEY, | EDWARD A. KING- 

WILLIAM H. RUSSELL. 

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS 

G. PRANK LEMON, I P. B. CORNWALL, 

L. W. SLOAT, I CHARLES L. ROSS^ 

WILLIAM M. STEUART. 



CONSTITUTIOJf. 



ARTICLE I. 

This Society shall be called " The Society op 
California Pioneers," its object shall be to culti- 
vate the social virtues of its members, to collect 
and preserve information connected with the early 
settlement and conquest of the country, and to per- 
petuate the memory of those whose sagacity, en- 
terprise and love of independence induced them to 
settle in the wilderness and become the germ of a 
new State, 

ARTICLE II. 

This Society shall be composed of native Cali- 
fornians ; foreigners residing in California previous 
to the conquest, and natives of other States and 
other countries, if citizens of the United States resi- 
dent here prior to January 1st, 184:9, and their male 
descendents who shall constitute the first class j 
and citizens of the old States of the Federal Gov- 
ernment who shall have resided in California prior 
to January 1st, 1850, and their male descendants 
who shall constitute the second class, and hono- 
ary members who may be admitted in accordance 
with what may be prescribed in the By-Laws. 
ARTICLE in. 

Any jjerson desiring to become a member of this 
Society shall be proposed and balloted for at any 
meeting; and three negative votes shall be suffi- 



cient to exclude any one from membership. Any 
person who may have been once balloted for, and 
rejected, shall not again be proposed for member- 
ship within one year from said rejection. 
ARTICLE IV. 

Each person on admission shall pay such fees as 
shall be prescribed by the By-Laws, and all funds 
arising therefrom or by donations, after the current 
yearly expenses have been paid, shall be safely in- 
vested, and the income arising therefrom shall be 
appropriated to charitable purposes, exclusively for 
the use and benefit of the widows and orphans of 
Pioneer immigrants, members of this Society. 

ARTICLE V. 

The officers of this Society, shall consist of a 
President, fifteen Vice Presidents, three of whom 
with a Secretary, five corresponding members, a 
Treasurer and a Board of Directors to consist of 
seven members, shall be located in San Francisco. 

ARTICLE VI. 

This Society shall meet semi-annually ; viz : on 
the 7th day of July, being the anniversary of the 
hoisting of the American Flag, and on the 7th of 
January ; and at such other times as they may be 
called together by the President and Board of Di- 
rectors. At each semi-annual meeting the pro- 
ceedings of the previous six months shall be re- 
ported ; and at the Anniversary Meeting on the 7th 
day of July, the Society shall elect by ballot its 
officers for the following year, who shall remain in 
office until their successors be elected. 



ARTICLE VII. 

The Board of Directors shall meet for business 
at least once a month, and a majority of the Board 
may fill any vaa^ncies which may occur in their 
own body. The President, Secretary and Treas- 
urer shall be Ex-Officio members of this Board, a 
majority of whom must be present in order to form 
a quorum for , the transaction of business. The 
Board of Directors shall enact By-Laws for the 
government of the Society, which, with all other 
proceedings, shall be laid before the Society at the 
first Meeting thereafter ; and it shall be competent 
for the Society to alter amend or reject any such 
By-Laws by a two-thirds vote when there are not 
less than twenty-five members present, and in no 
other A\ay. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

This Constitution shall not be altered or amended 
unless by a vote of a majority of the first class 
members present at a regular Meeting; and all 
such alterations or amendments must be proposed 
at some Meeting at least three months prior thereto. 
And it shall not be in the power of this Society to 
alter or amend in any way or manner Art. 2nd of 
this Constitution. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The President shall preside over and ]>reserve 
order at all meetings of the Society and Board of 
Directors ; he shall approve all accounts previous 
to their being paid by the Treasurer ; he shall sign 
all laws, resolutions and orders after having been 
approved by the Board of Directors, and shall put 



all questions to vote. Any Vice President present, 
in the absence of the President, shall exei'cise the 
same power and authority as the President could 
when personally present. 

ARTICLE X. 

The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of all 
the proceedings of the Society; record the B.y-Laws 
Rules and Ordinances of the Society ; preserve a 
register of the members names ; keep a correct ac- 
count with the members ; and collect and pay to 
the Treasurer all money due the Society. He shall 
be responsible for the safe keeping of all the Books 
and papers belonging to the Societj^, excepting 
those of the Treasurer. lie shall certify all ac- 
counts and records under the direction of the 
Board of Directors, and countersign all orders, on 
the Treasurer signed by the President; he shall 
make reports of his accounts at such times as may 
be required by the Society ; he shall report the 
name of each member in arrears to the Society, im- 
mediately preceding the election for Ofiicers ; he 
shall be exem))tfrom the payment of dues, and from 
serving on Committees; he shall give the members 
and Board of Directors proper notice of all meet- 
ings ; he shall till the office of Corres;)onding Sec- 
retary and j)erform all the duties ; he shall also be 
the Librarian of the Society, shall receive and pre- 
serve all Books, Maps, Pamphlets, Records, Mag- 
azines, &c., -which may be donated or lent to the 
Society and be responsible for the same ; he shall 
keep a record of the names of such Donors, and 
shall perform such other duties as may be assigned 
to him bv ^he Board of Directors ; he shall give 



bonds for the faithful performance of his duties in 
the sum of Dollars. 

ARTICLE Xr. 
The Treasurer shall keep a book in w}>ich he 
shall record all receipts and disbursements, and re- 
poi^ the same semi-annually or at such i)eriods as 
the Society may require.' He shall pay no money 
without an order, signed by the President and goun- 
tersigned by the Secretar}'. At the expiration of 
his term of office he shall deliver all Books, pa- 
pers, money, vouchers and other property belong- 
ing to the Society in his possession, into the hands 
of his successor. The Treasurer shall give bonds 
for the faithful dischiu-ge of his duties in the sum 
of Dollars.' * 

ARTICLE XIL 

Any member who shall be in arrears at any reg- 
ular Meeting or shall refuse to pay his monthly or 
other dues when called upon by the Secretary, shall 
be inelligible to office, to vote at any meeting or 
enjoy the honors of this Society in any manner till 
such times as all arrears are paid up. 
ARTICLE XIII. 

Regalia. — The Regalia of the President shall 
consist of a gold tinsel Scarf trimmed with silver 
bullion, with first class Rosette and cross ^Mallets 
of silver. The Vice Presidents' shall consist of sil- 
ver tinsel Scarfs trimmed with gold bullion, with 
first class Rosettes and cross Axes of silver. The 
Secretary's shall consist of a Red, White and Blue 
Silk Scarf, trimmed with gold bullion with first 
class Rosette and cross Pens of silver. The Treas- 



8 

urer's, Red, White and Blue Silk Scarf, trimmed 
with gold bullion with tirst class Rosette and cross 
Keys of silver. The members of the first class — 
scarlet silk Scarfs trimmed with silver bullion 
with Rosette, with silver P. in the centre of Ro- 
sette. The members of the second class — white 
silk Scarfs trimmed with gold bullion with Ro- 
settes, with embroidered Star of silver in the cen- 
tre. % The honorary membei^ shall wear a Blue, 
silk Scarf with white Rosettes. The Rosettes to 
be of Red, White and Blue silk. The colors of this 
Society shall always be Red, White and Blue. 
ARTICLE XIV. 
The Librarian shall have ftill charge and control 
(tf the hall or room ap{)roprmted for the use of the 
Society, subject to the directions of the President 
and Board of Directors ; and for such services 
shall receive such remuneration as may be pro- 
vided in the By-Laws. 

ARTICLE XV. 

The Vice Presidents of this Society throughout 
the State shall keep a record of the names of the 
members in their several precincts, and shall send 
to the Secretary the names of those persons wish- 
ing to become membei-s ; they shall use all lauda- 
ble efforts to collect and procure such Records, 
Relics, Minerals, Curiosities, &c., connected with 
the early history of this State as may be useful 
and beneficial to this Association, and shall at all 
times forward any information that may be of in- 
terest to this Society to the Secretary at San 
Francisco. 



ARTICLE XVI. 

The Annual celebration day of this Society, shall 
be on the 9th day of September, unless it come on 
Sunday when the day following shall be celebrated. 



^ BY'LAWS, 



[ION 1. Each m enijj ^il^u admission, sli£ 
pay innS^ie Tix\nsupi«df^siinio!S^Dollars;*<md^ 
a further siThw)£>31ie Dollar mont]in%i^^rg<mer. 

Sec. 2. Ejije^^NijjiDn on admission, sjJSs^ign the 
Constitutkm with lii^iimie in fulh/fog-ethcr^ivith 
hisi^tce of residence a^j^ljia^ay, month 

ar of his arrival in this 

Sec. 3. The President shall determine the order 
of business and appoint all Committees ; he shall 
also fill all Vtacancies for the meeting. 

Sec. 4. Each member when speaking, shall ad- 
dress the President, and when called to order, shall 
immediately take his seat, but he may appeal from 
such order. 

Sec. 5. In all such appeals, or on any appeal 
from the decision of the President, a majority of 
the members present may reverse it. 

Sec. 6. In debate no member shall be personal 
in his remarks. 

Sec. 7. All motions shall be made in A^Titingand 
read by the mover in his seat before offering. 

Sec, 8. xlll real estate that may be acquired by 
the Society, shall be held in trust for the use of 
the Society in the names of the President, Secre- 
tary and Treasurer and their successors. 



11 

Sec. 9. The Vice Presidents of the different 
precincts shall collect the dues from the members, 
and forward the amount, together witli the names 
of those ]jaying, to the Treasurer, at San Francisco. 

Sec. 10. On the decease of any member of this 
Society, the Vice President in whose precinct the 
deceased resided, shall immediately forward a 
statement of the circmnstances, together (if pos- 
sible) with the birth place, and place of residence 
of the friends of the deceased, to the Secretary, 
at San Francisco. 

Sec. 11. On the decease of any member of this 
Society, the Secretary may, at his discretion, call a 
meeting of the Society. 

Sec. 12. The obituary and resolutions passed at 
any meeting called by the death of a member, 
shall be published in one of the daily pajiers of 
San Francisco, and in the paper (if any) published 
where the deceased resided, and the Secretary 
shall commmiicate the proceedings to the family 
or relatives of the deceased. 

Sec. 18. The Library shall be open to members 
every day, except 4th of July, and 1st of January, 
from 10 o'clock, a. m., until 10 o'clock, p. m., from 
April 1st until September 1st; and for the re- 
mainder of the year from 11 o'clock, a. m., until 
11 o'clock, p. M. 

Sec. 14. The Badges and Regalia shall be pro- 
vided and paid for out of the general fund of the 
Societ}'', and each member shall pay to the Secre- 
tary or Treasurer, the prime cost of his Regalia. 

Sec. 15. Any person who shall become a mem- 
ber fraudulently, by making a Mae entry o his 



12 

arrival in this country, shall be expelled the So- 
ciety. 

Sec. 16. This Society shall have power to elect, 
as honorary members, such persons as msiy have 
rendered any distinguished or important services 
to this Society, the State, or the United States. 

Sec. 17. No member of this Society under the 
age of eighteen years, shall be entitled to vote at 
any meeting thereof. 

Sec. 18. The President shall appoint a Commit- 
tee of Examination to consist of three members, 
to canvass the standing of applicants for member- 
ship, and no person shall be balloted for unless 
approved of by the Committee. 

Sec. 19. The Bonds of the Secretary and Treas- 
urer shall be placed in the hands of the President, 
for safe keeping. 

Sec. 20. The Board of Directors shall fix the 
amount of, and approve the Bonds of the Secre- 
tary and Treasurer ; and shall determine the com- 
pensation to be paid the Secretary. 

Sec. 21. Any motion to alter, amend or rescind 
these By-Laws, must be in writing, and made at a 
stated meeting; if duly seconded, it shall lie over 
for consideration until the next stated meeting, it 
may then be acted upon, and a majority of two- 
thirds of the members present shall be necessary 
for its adoption. 



LD^L 



BY-LAWS 



Section 1. Each person on adiui.ssi,>ii a^ a member 
of this Society, and on ^laying into the Treasury of the 
Society the sum of Ten Dollars, shall .-^ign the Constitu- 
tion with his name in full, together with his jilace of 
residence, and the day, month and year of his arrival in 
this State. And if any person, residing in the City of 
San Francisco, shall, for one month after his election, 
or, if residing in any other part of the State, shall, for 
six months after his election, neglect to pay his admis- 
sion fee and to sign the Constitution, he shall be con- 
sidered as having declined to become a member, and 
the member who proposed his name shall be charged the 
amount of his initiation fee. 

Sec. 2. Every member of this Society shall pay a tax 
of one dollar per month, payable semi-annually in ad- 
vance ; and any member who shall neglect for six months, 
if he reside in the City of San Francisco, or for one year 
if he reside in any other part of the State, to pay such 
tax, shall be considered as having resigned his mem- 
bership. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 167 160 7 



